Ras Pathway

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Description

Ras is a membrane-associated guanine nucleotide-binding protein that is normally activated in response to the binding of extracellular signals, such as growth factors, RTKs (Receptor Tyrosine Kinases), TCR (T-Cell Receptors) and PMA (Phorbol-12 Myristate-13 Acetate). Ras signaling affects many cellular functions, which includes cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, fate specification, and differentiation. Ras acts as a binary signal switch cycling between ON and OFF states, which are characterized in terms of a small molecule, a guanine nucleotide, bound to the protein. In the resting cell, Ras is tightly bound to GDP (Guanosine Diphosphate), which is exchanged for GTP (Guanosine Triphosphate) upon binding of extracellular stimuli to cell membrane receptors. In the GTP-bound form, Ras interacts specifically with so-called effector proteins, thereby [...]